Running workshops of any nature can be challenging. They are made even more so when conflict between participants arises.
It can throw you off guard when conflict arises whilst you are facilitating. Moreover, it can completely disrupt the session. These suggestions will help you navigate a group through conflict.
Stay calm
As a facilitator, individuals may look to you as you are leading the session. Therefore, it is crucial to stay calm.
Address it
See if you can address the issues in the room in a productive manner. If you feel it is appropriate to do so, comment on what is happening. If it is you could act as mediator for both parties to get their points across and also listen to one another to compromise or reach an agreed solution.
Park it
If you are in the process of mapping out the organisations’ strategy, personal tensions should not be brought up and you don’t want it to take over the session. Moreover, don’t get involved if there is a conflict of a personal nature between participants.
Conflict can be good and productive
It is important for teams to have some conflict. This is because different perspectives are showcased, which is important when evaluating problems and coming up with a solution. You don’t want heated conflict.
Park the conflict
If you are in the process of mapping out the organisations’ strategy, personal tensions should not be brought up and you don’t want it to take over the session. Moreover, don’t get involved if there is a conflict of a personal nature between participants.
Be prepared
Ask the client before if there are any issues or team politics, so you can be mentally prepared before going in. Some of the time the client may not inform you of the team dynamic, or they may not know about it. Therefore, always be prepared for something unexpected to happen when facilitating a workshop or meeting.
Move the team on and diffuse the tension
If you are delving into team-building exercises and there is tension in the room, try using more light hearted team building techniques to lift the mood.
For more tips on how to facilitate a workshop or meeting, click here.